The Trump Administration announced a new travel ban impacting 19 countries earlier this week, effective Monday, June 9 at 12:01 a.m.

According to the Presidential Proclamation, the ban will suspend entry of nationals from a dozen countries based on their inadequate screening and security risks: Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma), Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Entry of nationals from seven other countries is partially restricted- limiting issuance of immigrant visas and B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J nonimmigrant vias for nationals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

The proclamation applies only to citizens or nationals of the 19 designated countries who are outside the United States and do not possess a valid visa as of June 9, 2025. Entry restrictions detailed in the proclamation do not impact citizens or nationals of these designated countries who meet certain criteria, including those who:

• Are lawful permanent residents (green card holders),
• Are present inside the United States on June 9, 2025;
• Those outside the United States on that date but holding a visa valid as of June 9, 2025; and
• Dual nationals of a designated country traveling on a passport issued by a non-designated country, provided their U.S. visa is in the non-designated country’s passport and all other required documents are valid.

Additional exemptions include athletes participating in events such as the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics. The proclamation also allows for case-by-case exceptions, though it does not specify a process for applying for such exemptions. Perhaps the varying national interest exception processes consulates utilized during the first Trump administration will be implemented again.

Furthermore, the proclamation announced that visas issued before the proclamation's effective date will remain valid.

The travel ban likely will face challenges in federal courts. On June 6, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a temporary hold on the Trump Administration’s proclamation two days earlier that would’ve banned Harvard University from enrolling international students. Harvard quickly challenged that proclamation, stating that a ban on foreign students, which make up a quarter of the university’s enrollment, would cause “immediate and irreparable harm.”

What You Should Know

If you have employee nationals traveling outside of the U.S. from one of the 12 banned countries, you may want to arrange for their return soon as possible, but before June 9 since implementation at the airports could be unpredictable.

1. If you require business travelers who are from one of the banned or partially restricted countries who do not already have visas, they may be unable to enter.
2. Students or Exchange Visitors seeking entry for upcoming semesters or to resume work in OPT, who are nationals of the banned or partially restricted countries, who do not yet have valid visas, may be unable to enter.
3. As with any change in government policy, businesses who employ such nationals and visa holders alike may want to presume increased risk for travel by nationals from any of the banned or partially restricted countries. Nationals may be turned away, or delayed at entry while the ban is rolled out (even if they fall within one of the exceptions, and even if they seek entry prior to June 9).